A soldier’s national security dream team

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President Barack Obama’s nomination of Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) for secretary of state, along with the potential appointment of former Senator Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, is an important step forward for the under-resourced State Department and the over-stressed Defense Department.

Both men demonstrated great bravery in war and moral courage throughout their lives. Hagel, as an infantry sergeant and squad leader in Vietnam, was twice wounded, saved by his squad mate brother and then returned the favor. Kerry, not far away, operated riverine craft in an equally dangerous environment and sustained several wounds.

After such experiences, they understand the implications of deciding to use military force like few others in our civilian leadership. They know at a gut level that the decision to put our soldiers in harm’s way can traumatize those who have answered the call of duty, and affect their families, like few of life’s endeavors.

From a soldier’s perspective, I know their profound appreciation may temper Washington’s appetite to respond to foreign policy problems with military force. They can help drive a more balanced, economic or diplomatic response to the challenges we will surely face.

Kerry, having voted to approve the use of force in Iraq with, among others, Senator Hillary Clinton, declared his intent to ensure all foreign policy tools remained on the table.

Both men later voted against the surge in Iraq in the face of substantial push-back from their colleagues.

More recently in Afghanistan, Kerry was critical of the diplomacy in a very difficult environment. In the words of another very courageous diplomat, the late Richard Holbrooke, “Kerry’s role in Afghanistan was extraordinary.”

Both Hagel and Kerry clearly understand that the oath of office is to support and defend the Constitution – not their political party.

Hagel is now being criticized for his desire to see engagement with Iran and his intent to nudge Israel to a peaceful outcome in the endless Israeli/Palestinian conflict. “Until we are able to lead a renewal of the Israeli/Palestinian peace process,” Hagel said in 2006, “mindless destruction and slaughter will continue in Lebanon, Israel and across the Middle East.”

With Obama’s intent to accelerate his policy of engagement, supported by both Kerry and Hagel, it brings to mind the famous Abraham Lincoln quote, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?”

J Street supports a Hagel nomination – as do five former U.S. ambassadors to Israel from both Democratic and Republican administrations. So should anyone who supports a peaceful and successful outcome with our ally Israel.

We have a history of presidents crossing party lines in building Cabinets to achieve crucial goals. President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed a strong Republican and manager to pave the way into World War II and rapidly expand our armed forces. Enter Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, decorated combat soldier and a great selection for a bipartisan team.

For different reasons today, we would benefit from a moderate and a distinguished leader who needs no apprenticeship, who just happens to be a war hero and has a proven record of working across the aisle to get things done. Enter Hagel – as comfortable with generals as with the enlisted infantry he led in Vietnam.

Obama is building a new team for his second-term objectives. The way it is shaping up – with Kerry’s nomination, followed soon by that of Hagel – America will use the increase in engagement with allies and adversaries to allow a vital rebalancing of our instruments of national power.

Those who have actually served in war know what it is like, and if they left the service, then they did not spend a career simply following orders. So they understand the real consequences of going to war. Career officers start out knowing the actual consequences, but soon get so involved in getting ahead, and following orders that they forget where they came from.

The critics of Hagel are likely to be those who know nothing of actual war, but are in love with the idea of going to war, to flex muscle.

Love the phrase attack Chihuahuas; much better then chicken hawks.

Although I have a little concern about Kerry at State, unless the policy will be to bore our enemies to sleep.

Hagel expresses the real key to Middle East peace. Those who wish to profit by selling weapons will shudder at the idea of actual peace.

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Retired Major General Paul D. Eaton served more than 30 years in the Army, including assignments in Iraq, Bosnia and Somalia. From 2003-2004, he developed, designed and led the training of the Iraqi military. He is a senior adviser at the National Security Network.